Naperville resident Joan Boyle loves that the park district sets up a community Christmas tree along the Riverwalk every year.

"I moved here four years ago, and like to take walks every morning through the downtown," Boyle said. "It's wonderful to have this tree each year. I came by earlier this morning and watched crews (putting it) up."

Shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, about a dozen workers assembled in front of the home of Patricia Riggs, a 28-year resident of Naperville who donated her blue spruce evergreen to the city this year. Riggs said it stood just 3 feet tall when it was planted in June 2000 to replace another tree.

"I made about five phone calls trying to see how I could get the tree here removed because it is killing the grass," Riggs said as she watched workers attach a cable to the spruce before it was taken down.

"I talked with the city manager and eventually an arborist, who suggested I call the park district about having it placed at the Riverwalk."

Sue Omanson, the park district's community development manager, said a holiday tree donated by someone in the community has been erected in the Dandelion Fountain for the last 20 years or so.

"Last year there was a family who had lost their mother years ago and they wanted to donate the tree in her memory," Omanson said. "We leave the tree pretty much as it is except for stringing it with lights, and we add a menorah and a nativity scene that were donated to us so we represent both holidays."

Park specialist Clint Burnell led the crew that cut the tree and loaded it on to a flatbed truck, a process that took less than 30 minutes.

"This is about the 15th year I've been involved in the tree cutting and transport, and this one is easy to get to and we won't have to travel far to get it to the downtown area," Burnell said. "This is always an exciting part of the decorations we have downtown at the Riverwalk, next to the Santa House."

Riggs, who lives in the 600 block of Windham Lane, said she had to consult with the Bennington Homeowners Association before having the tree removed.

David Sharos/Naperville Sun

Naperville resident Patricia Riggs holds a photo of the 3-foot tree that was planted in front of her house in June 2000.

Naperville resident Patricia Riggs holds a photo of the 3-foot tree that was planted in front of her house in June 2000. (David Sharos/Naperville Sun)

"I'm glad the tree is going to be used as part of the decorations and that others will be able to enjoy it," she said.

Seasonal worker Manuel Rodriguez said this was the first tree removal with which he has helped.

"I've been with the park district four years and while this is something we get paid to do, I really like the idea of this," Rodriguez said. "It's definitely something nice for the community."

Harry Gortowski, a trade specialist for the district, used an aerial lift truck basket to attach a cable to the top third of the evergreen.

"I've done about a dozen of these installations and the key to the job is finding a strong branch about three-quarters of the way up," Gortowski said. "We've had bigger trees. This one probably weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,500 to 3,000 pounds."

Gortowski's boss, Drew Hogue, said Gortowski was well suited for the job.

"Harry does all the parking lot lights and the lighting protection devices. He loves heights," Hogue said.

Boyle said she believes the tree will enhance the downtown.

"I love to see the tree lit up and am amazed every year at the landscape here," she said. "I love that there are stories sometimes behind these trees and that they come from the community — not from some nursery."